Tangerang Regent Ismet Iskandar lost his temper and came close to punching journalist Denny Irawan when the latter asked about a payment of Rp 9.2 billion (US$978,723) from tap water operator Tirta Kerta Raharja.

Denny Irawan, a Tangerang-based journalist with Seputar Indonesia daily, first asked the regent to confirm his order for a Rp 9.9 billion payment from PDAM Tirta Kerta Raharja.

Ismet, who had just left the regency’s legislative council building in Tigaraksa for a break after attending a plenary session Monday, said he had allocated the money he borrowed from the company to the regency’s soccer team Persita.

“I just want the regent to apologize soon or I will report him to the police for bullying and committing an unpleasant deed,” Denny told The Jakarta Post.